Leptospirosis is not a disease to be taken lightly. Severe cases can lead to kidney failure and can also cause adverse affects to the liver and the brain. It can also lead to death.
The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a total of 97 deaths from the disease from January 1 to July 7, 2012. This is out of the 2,002 leptospirosis cases in the same period.
People are infected with leptospirosis when they come in contact with the leptospira bacteria in an environment contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.
Those with open wounds exposed to flood waters, vegetation and soil contaminated by rat urine are most susceptible to the disease.
“Severe cases result to liver involvement, kidney failure or brain involvement. Thus some cases may have yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine and light stools, low urine output, severe headache,” the DOH said in its advisory.
It advised early detection and treatment within two days of illness. Consultation with a doctor and taking antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician should be done to avoid complications.
The DOH reiterated avoiding swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water and wearing proper protection like boots and gloves when work requires exposure to contaminated water.
It also advised draining potentially contaminated water, controlling rats in the household through rat traps and poisons, and observing cleanliness at home.
Source: Phil Star
